Best Spots for an Easy Calgary Hike

I love being outdoors, and it’s no surprise if you’ve been around here for a while that I’m a huge fan of hikes. I thought I’d put together a blog post all about some easy Calgary hikes. You don’t need to drive for hours to get to any of these, and there’s no tough elevation gain required either. These are the kinds of spots you can visit on a whim after work or on a lazy weekend morning, no big planning required.

I’ll be sharing my top five spots, including one all time favorite that I’ve been going to for nearly two decades now. A co-worker told me about it years ago, and I’m so glad she did. It didn’t take me long to fall in love with it, and it’s still the first place I think of when I want to get outside.

If you’re looking for hikes outside of the city, be sure to check out my hiking page. You can find everything from hikes I’ve done to hiking tips and gear over there.

Bowmont Park

Bowmont Park, in NW Calgary, is my absolute favorite spot in the city. There are areas in it that don’t even feel like I’m in a city of over 1.5 million people. It runs along the north side of the Bow River, so there are lots of incredible views. It’s big too, so there are lots of different pathways to discover. I don’t think I’ve ever been there and had it feel busy. It’s just so big that you can always find a spot to yourself.

I first discovered Bowmont nearly 20 years ago when a co-worker told me about a park she walked in often. I knew she lived near me, so I was curious to know where she went. I’m so glad she mentioned it, because it’s become my favorite place to walk in Calgary, and somewhere I still return to again and again all these years later.

I’ve seen all kinds of wildlife in Bowmont, including deer and coyotes. The deer sighting happened one morning when I was there just after sunrise. I was sitting on a bench at the top of a hill, and a deer came running up toward me. I think we surprised each other just as much. If coyotes have been spotted, the city will often put out warning signs, so keep an eye out for those. Parts of Bowmont are off leash, so be sure to take heed if you’re walking your dog.

Bowmont has both paved and unpaved paths. It even has a boardwalk down into Waterfall Valley, and it’s just as pretty as it sounds. It feels like walking down into a fairy tale, and at the end you’re rewarded with the prettiest little waterfall and a view of the Bow River. Depending on how energetic you’re feeling, there’s a path for you. If you’re feeling like a leisurely stroll, there are flat parts along the the top of the park. If you’re craving more of a workout with some hills to climb, that exists too in Bowmont.

I don’t think I’m doing Bowmont Park justice. It’s beautiful in every season, whether it’s fresh snow along the paths in winter or wildflowers in bloom come summer, and it has gorgeous views of the Bow River no matter when you visit. If you’re looking for a spot inside the city for a taste of nature, Bowmont is the place to go.

Edworthy Park

Edworthy Park is located centrally in SW Calgary. It runs along both sides of the Bow River, with a pedestrian bridge connecting the two. There are lots of pathways to explore, with some really pretty views of both the city and the river. It also has an off leash area if you want to bring your dog along.

In addition to walking and hiking paths, there are quite a few amenities there too, like washrooms, firepits, picnic shelters and tables, and playgrounds. Even with all those amenities, there are parts of Edworthy that feel like you’re right in the middle of nature, tucked away from the city around it.

If you’re visiting Edworthy Park in 2026, it’s worth noting that construction on a new watermain is ongoing, so parking may be a bit more complicated than usual. I’ve never had trouble finding a spot there without the construction, but it may be different right now. I’m hoping it wraps up soon so it’s back to normal.

Fish Creek Park

I’ve only been to Fish Creek Park once, years ago, but this list of easy Calgary hikes wouldn’t be complete without it. Although Fish Creek is entirely within the city limits, it’s actually a provincial park, and it’s absolutely giant, so there’s tons of ground to cover no matter where you enter.

In various parts of Fish Creek, you’ll find picnic tables, washrooms, mountain bike trails, firepits, swimming, and fishing. Be sure to check any posted warnings before getting into or close to the water though, as sometimes being in the water isn’t recommended depending on conditions.

Nose Hill Park

Nose Hill Park is another park in NW Calgary that I’ve spent lots of time at. It’s actually one of the biggest municipal parks in North America. It sits in the middle of prairie grasslands, so there’s lots of tall grasses and wildflowers scattered throughout. I worked with wildflowers for nearly 15 years, so being able to see them out in nature like this is always a treat for me.

There are lots of gentle rolling hills, as the name implies, so it definitely feels more like a hike than a leisurely stroll. There are plenty of access points to the park, including several with their own parking lots. Fun bit of local trivia, in high school one of the parking lots at the top of a hill was known as a popular makeout spot.

I’ve seen lots of wildlife up on Nose Hill, including deer. There are also some really pretty views of Calgary from up there, including downtown. Hiking from one end of the park to the other can take hours, so make sure you’re properly prepared with good shoes, water, and snacks if you decide to attempt the whole thing.

Twelve Mile Coulee

Twelve Mile Coulee is in the far NW part of Calgary. There are both paved and unpaved pathways, as well as a couple of off leash areas for dogs. I didn’t actually know what a coulee was when I first heard the word. According to google, it’s essentially a deep ravine. As the name implies, this park runs along the top of and down into one, so be prepared for some hills.

There have been plenty of times when I’ve been very grateful to come across a bench to rest on for a minute. It’s another one of those parks where it doesn’t feel like you’re in a big city at all. Down in the bottom of it there’s a small creek and lots of shade thanks to all the trees. Like I mentioned above, there are a few off leash areas, so it’s a popular spot for dog walkers.

Some pathways can be a bit tight, so be sure to stay aware of your surroundings and other trail users as you go. Just like Nose Hill, Twelve Mile Coulee has a mix of native grasses and wildflowers. There’s something so cool about seeing what nature would have looked like before Calgary was here, right in the middle of the city. The coulee leads south down to the Bow River and Baker Park, and you can even make your way along the Stoney Trail pedestrian bridge and into Bowness Park from there.

Wrap Up

If you’re looking for a fun hike to do without leaving Calgary, be sure to check out Bowmont, Edworthy, Fish Creek, Nose Hill, or Twelve Mile Coulee. While some of the landscapes can be similar, each of these parks has its own unique feel, so it’s worth exploring more than one.

If you only check out one, I highly recommend Bowmont. It’s my absolute favorite out of all of them. It has a little bit of everything while still feeling like you have lots of space to yourself, and the views are honestly unbeatable.

If you’re from Calgary too, what’s your best spot for an easy Calgary hike? I’d love to hear about your favorite in the comments. And if you’re visiting Calgary, check out my day trips from Calgary post, my weekend trips from Calgary post, and my Cochrane day trip post for even more ideas.